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BouMatic installed for the first time its Gemini robot in a farm in Portugal - Vaca Pinta Magazine

June 6 , 2021

Brothers João and Vitor Gonçalves from Lactolaxia SA just acquired the new Gemini double box milking robot. The robot allows them to benefit from a better milking quality combined with an automatic system. The magazine Vaca Pinta (Spain) visited the barn to make a short report.

FARM INFORMATION

Gemini double box

Farm

Lactolaxia SA

Farmers

João and Vitor Gonçalves
Start of the activity2017
Herd Size
110 (60 cows in production)
Milk Weight
33 L/day/cow
Objective90 cows in production

Interview with João Gonçalves, owner of the farm

Why have you decided to go from a milking parlour to a robot?

It was for the option of a double box, not many brands have it.

The rear milking form led us to make this decision.

Was the work of Agros Comercial a factor in your choice?

He was mobilised from the beginning, as soon as we were interested in the robot. He showed us the ones he had already assembled.

As it is a brand which is not yet well established in Portugal, they explained us all the details of the machine.

How did the animals adapt?

Well, we've been here for a month and they adapted very well. From the beginning, placing an animal in the robot was very simple. This has the particularity of having two cows inside the box, so that when the second animal is put in, he is prompted to see that there is another one inside and he enters easily.

In addition to the robot change, did you also modify the barn?

Yes. It was a change from both the barn and the milking machine. From the room they went to the robot, they came from another barn to the current one. This was all new for the animals.

When you have the robot installed you manage to lead a much more normal life than what is achieved with a milking parlour
João Gonçalves

At first, did you continue with the milking parlour?

There was an adaptation period during which the cows only went to the robot for the feed ration, without removing the milk. During this phase, which lasted three weeks, the cows adapted.

What would you highlight about the new robot?

The ease of putting an animal in the first time. The placement of the liners is very calm and the animals do not see any movement in the arm. It is very rare to see a cow touching the arm. I think these are all advantages for them; they are very calm.

How has your way of working improved?

Flexibility has improved. With the robot, one does not need to be here at seven in the morning; I can be both at eight and in the afternoon at eight or nine. We still have to come to do the daily work and see if the animals all went well to the robot, if there are any behind, but there is no need to comply with the schedules rigorously.

Have you noticed an increase in production?

In one month our production increased by around 4-5 litres.

What is your assessment of the change?

I'm very happy. When you have the robot installed you manage to lead a much more normal life than what is achieved with a milking parlour. With the parlour it was much more complicated. If we had an outlet anywhere, when the time comes to get the milk, you are always aware of the time to start milking the cows. Now you know that you can come when you consider, without that need to meet the schedules.

Vaca Pinta videos

  1. Video of BouMatic sales representant, Javier Liste (Spanish)
  2. Video of BouMatic dealer, José Vila Chá - Agros Comercial (Portuguese)
  3. Video of the owner, Jaõa Gonçalves - Lactolaxia SA (Spanish)

Watch the videos

Full article - Vaca Pinta Magazine (Spanish)